While a mother and her young son were on their way home from the son’s soccer game, they were approached by a woman in distress in a grocery store parking lot. The woman spoke limited English, but was able to convey that she needed help. She gave the mother a pamphlet she had received with her work visa, which included the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline number. The mother assisted the woman in calling the NHTRC from her cell phone. The woman explained that she had come to the United States from Nicaragua to work for a family from Venezuela. Due to poor working conditions, extremely long hours, threats, and lack of payment for her work, she had tried to escape once before. However, the family had found her, taken her back to the house, and physically abused her. The woman had no place to stay and was worried that her employers would find her again and bring her back to their house.  The woman was afraid for her safety but initially unsure about contacting law enforcement, fearing that they would bring her back to the home of her employers.  The mother and son offered to stay with her and help explain the situation, and with the woman's consent, the NHTRC contacted a local task force and service provider to help secure social services and ensure her safety. Law enforcement picked up the woman and brought her to the service provider where she received shelter, case management, and counseling. Law enforcement also opened an investigation based on the NHTRC’s report.

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